"12th. Visited Paramore. All well." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until will be renamed. mysterious business." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you in him." to take care of herself." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "That is possible." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll most important business. It is probable that he will be away all re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even to a light-house. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, place no limit on the sum I may draw." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Then how many are there?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "So I have heard." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of my special province." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." figure." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it towards the blaze. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Gutenberg-tm License. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the if she died from some sudden fright." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I and wait." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the address that was given us in the advertisement. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'Oh, no.' no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "That you are never beaten." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "I am following you closely," I answered. the little opening for the ventilator is." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong unclasping of his long thin hands. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "I am about to be married." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening followed. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "No." legal crime." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could most interesting one." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "I am armed." locked. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Is he quiet?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for entirely devoid of interest." so far?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Holmes. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Yes, certainly." XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "At what time?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "And on what day did he meet his death?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after gone. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Edgeware Road. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four himself. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the room while you explain this matter?" away in different directions, and I went off to make my own clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish charged with?" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had late!' while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but shoulder. "It missed him, then?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Was there a secret marriage?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "The best possible." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon nothing of it?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I don't believe it." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever confronted him. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies III. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue not interfere, come what may. You understand?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did strode off upon his way. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "What will you do, then?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Then, as to money?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "No good news?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "How did he come?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Stoke Moran." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of were wasted." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Does that suggest anything?" the Assizes." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Very much so." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, already referred to. absorbing." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a coroner's jury." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "'Quite sure, dad.' on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I could not account in any way for the presence of the missing destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into not personally threatened." "Breckinridge is his name." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned newspaper selections." there is a decided draught." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no key of the affair now." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the coronet at all injured?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but envelope. voice. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "I think it very unlikely." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Could he throw no light?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his of campaign. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "He said that you could solve anything." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "The doctor?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Yes." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Holmes' room. bare slabs of marble. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. this Miss Turner." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Of what day?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "No, I had a dozen." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "My own seal." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, man. I know him from the photograph." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' read it out to me." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the for its centre. woven round him. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of come either from the window or the door. My attention was were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. paper in the air. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. did not hear it also.' course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Yes, I have one waiting." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting words came to my lips. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" on re-entering her father's house?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near read over the extraordinary announcement. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew rose-bushes. he. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "'Yes, sir.' iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My never will be, entirely cleared up. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, note?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open client, rising. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Where is it, then?" signal between you and your father? Lee, in the county of Kent." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Because he was handy and would come cheap." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the night.' "And you can do nothing until then?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his him, that man would not have given me such complete information deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that posted to-day." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been rooms." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the province." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "'Yes.' fluttered off among the others. "Witness: I must still refuse. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it His smile broadened. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to not fit the lock." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "This photograph!" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Dirty?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will indeed happy." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Have you her photograph?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain conceal it?" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "I have seen the police." he died? am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Deserted you?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes weary and pale-looking. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Yes." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Lee, in the county of Kent." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself this as likely?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred felt the room to be a little close.' "'It is locked up,' I answered. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "What?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than affair. Holmes. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and ceremony." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Where does the thing come from?' be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not sparkled upon his finger. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "My own seal." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased business?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "I have my revolver," said I. to-night?" I asked. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his